Combination lock and deterrent

ABSTRACT

A combination lock and deterrent device comprising a rotatable, elongated body having a deterrent gas cartridge removably affixed thereto, the said body retaining a spring biased firing pin therein in spaced relationship from one end of the said deterrent gas cylinder, and a firing pin release mechanism, portions of which are affixed to the enclosure guarded by the device and which are responsive to actions initiated to force open the enclosure to thereby release the firing pin.

United States Patent Palumbo et a1.

[451 May 23, 1972 Madone, PO. Box 381, Hatboro, Pa. 1904Q [22] Filed: Apr. 27, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 32,291

3,500,771 3/1970 Fischeretal. ..l09/29 Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. Machado Attorney-Karl L. Spivak ABSTRACT A combination lock and deterrent device comprising a rotatable, elongated body having a deterrent gas cartridge removably affixed thereto, the said body retaining a spring biased firing pin therein in spaced relationship from one end of the said deterrent gas cylinder, and a firing pin release 52 us. Cl ..109 29 mechanism, portions of which a a fixed t the enclosure [51] ,,G08b 15/02, 505 3/00 guarded by the device and which are responsive to actions in- 58 Field of Search ..109/36, 37, 29 itiated to force p n th n l sure to thereby release the firing pin. I 4 [56] References Cited 12 Cl 11 Drawing UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,792,023 2/ 1931 Macy 109/29 PATENTEDMAYNIQYZ sum 10F2 58 gas FIG. 5A

INVENTORS NUNZIO J. PALUMBO JACK MACIONE BY [fa/J f.

ATTORNEY PMENIEDMAY 23 m2 SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTORS NUNZIO J. PALUMBO JACK MACIONE ATTORNEY COMBINATION LOCK AND DETERRENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the general field of locking devices, more particularly is directed to a combination lock and gas container apparatus that is designed to act both as a lock and as a deterrent to forcing open the enclosure protected by the said device.

Prior workers in the field have developed various types of combination lock and tear gas alarm devices which have met with varying degrees of success. However, all prior art models have been relatively complicated in construction and accordingly quite expensive in manufacture. In addition, the complicated nature of the prior art designs resulted in unusually difficult installation procedures which thereby greatly increased the costs of protecting the enclosure being so equipped. Further, prior art devices of the type set forth were often deficient in that in many instances, the devices were unreliable and would not fire upon tampering with the enclosure. Additionally, in many instances, prior art devices proved to be dangerous when in use in that they could easily be inadvertently fired under normal conditions of operation thereby causing harm to unsuspecting, innocent patrons. Further, view of the complexity of prior art models, relatively bulky and ungainly appearing lock devices resulted which rendered them unsuitable for use with small machines and in other restricted areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention finds special utility when used with enclosed cabinet structures such as vending machines, washing machines, automatic dryers and other similarly arranged, coin operated equipment.

The present device includes a relatively small rotatable body having facilities to removably affix a deterrent gas cylinder which may be filled with any of a variety of deterrents such as tear gas, dye, noise or other similar materials. A firing pin axially aligns within the body and is reciprocal therein. The firing pin is retained in spaced relationship from the deterrent cylinder by novel, spring biased, spring collet construction which assures positive firing under all conditions when the protected enclosure is forced and further, is operable to positively prevent unintentional firing which might otherwise be caused innocently by activities such as move. ment of the machine to a new location, service calls and similar normal activities.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved combination lock and deterrent device of the type set forth.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel combination lock and deterrent device including means to easily install the device in operative position within the enclosure to be protected.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel combination lock and deterrent device featuring compact, easily assembled, streamlined functioning parts which coact to minimize the possibility of misfiring.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel combination lock and deterrent device incorporating a firing pin and spring biased, spring collet release means for operation automatically upon forcing the protected enclosure.

'It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel combination lock and deterrent device that may be readily assembled and disassembled using easily available tools.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel combination lock and deterrent device that is capable of maintaining the enclosure locked even after an attempt has been made to forceably enter the enclosure and even after the deterrent cartridge has been fired.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel combination lock and deterrent device that is simple in design, rugged in construction and trouble-free upon use.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had by. referring to the following description and claims of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine wherein a combination lock and deterrent device has been positioned.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line 2-2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device with the lock mechanism removed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective, exploded view of the combination latching and collet retaining assembly.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the spring collet firing pin.

FIG. 5A is a right end elevational view of the firing pin of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line 6-6 of FIG. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the mechanism in operative position.

FIG. 7 is a partial, cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the operating mechanism in fired position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line 88 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 9 is a partial end elevational view looking from Line 9-9 of FIG. 6

FIG. 10 is a partial, cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing the position of the firing pin immediately after release. 1

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of our invention selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6 of the drawings, we show a combination lock'and deterrent device 10 including an elongated, generally cylindrical body 12 and incorporating deterrent gas cylinder receiving construction 14 in axially aligned relation thereto. The cylindrical body 12 may be of steel or hard plastic construction fabricated to a generally hollow configuration and encloses the firing pin spring collet assembly 16 in a manner to permit axially aligned, reciprocating movement of the firing pin assembly relative to the body 12. The combination spring collet retainer and latching assembly 18 operably positions at the interior end 20 of the cylindrical body 12 and has limited reciprocal motion therein as hereinafter more fully set forth. The combination spring collet retainer and latching assembly 18 is provided with means 22 to prohibit rotative movement of the assembly relative to the cylindrical body 12. The assembly affixed pin 24 radially projects from the cylindrical member 26 for latching to and unlatching from a fixed portion 28 of the machine 30 being protected to thereby lock and unlock a drawer 48 within an enclosure such as a coin operated washing machine 30.

The gas cylinder retaining construction 14 incorporates a pair of diametrically opposed struts 32, 34 which serve the dual purpose of providing a continuous rigid construction and also of defining the opposed openings 36, 38 which serve to facilitate placing the gas containing cartridge 40 within the retaining construction 14 for positioning in axial alignment with the cylindrical body 12. The struts 32, 34 terminate forwardly in a threaded receiver 42 which is provided with the internally threaded section 44 to thereon threadedly receive the rotatable tongue of the lock 46 in body rotating engagement. Thus, when the rotatable tongue 90 of the lock 46 is rotated by means of a key (also not shown) in the usual manner, the affixed gas cartridge retaining construction 14 and the cylindrical body 12 will also rotate.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the combination lock and deterrent may be utilized in conjunction with and to protect a coin drawer 48 of a coin operated machine 30, such as a coinoperated washing machine. The drawer 48 slides relative to the fixed machine housing 50 and secures therein by utilizing the combination lock and deterrent device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The lock 46 positions through the drawer front 52 and is fixedly secured thereto in well-known manner such as by the locking nut 54. A set screw 56 turns into the threaded opening 58 to affix the rotatable tongue 90 of the lock 46 within the receiver 42 after the rotatable tongue is fully turned onto the threaded section 44, to thus assure rotation of the cylindrical body 12 and the affixed gas cartridge retaining construction 14 upon rotation of the lock 46 by the key (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 5, the firing pin spring collet assembly 16 is illustrated comprising an elongated, generally cylindrical construction including an axially aligned firing pin 60 projecting axially from the forward, firing end 62. A round guide 64 radially projects from the firing pin spring collet assembly 16 and serves to guide the firing pin assembly axially within the cylindrical body 12 upon operation of the device (see FIGS. 6,7 and 10). As illustrated, the guide 64 positions and secures to the firing end 62 thereby leaving the spring collet end 66 free for operating flexure as hereinafter more fully set forth. The firing pin spring collet assembly 16 is preferably fabricated of spring steel or similar hard spring material capable of the necessary flexure for operating purposes. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 5A, the spring collet end 66 is provided with an axial bore 68 which extends from rear to front substantially to the guide 64 and a plurality of split arms 70, 72, 74, 76 which are respectively separated by the elongated slots 78, 80, 82 and 84. It will thus be seen that the combination of the axial bore 68 and the longitudinally extending slots 78, 80, 82 and 84 which communicate therewith cooperate permit flexure of the spring arms 70, 72, 74, 76 radially interiorly. The split retainer 86 radially outwardly projects near the spring collet end 66 for firing pin retention purposes as hereinafter more fully set forth and joins the respective spring arms 70, 72, 74, 76 through a smooth, circular transition piece 88. Body 12 is provided with an octagonal formed opening 104 of size to receive the octagonally formed means 22. The octagonally formed opening 104 and means 22 cooperate to prevent rotative motion of the firing pin spring collet assembly 16 relative to the body 12 within the opening 104 while readily permitting axial movement of the spring collet assembly relative to the body. The rotation prohibiting means 22 carry a radial spring retention washer 106 which functions as a stop for the compression spring 108. As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 the spring 108 biases between the rearward side of the retaining washer 106 and the forward side of the body and construction to continuously urge the retainer pin 102 within the spring collet axial bore 108. The combination spring collet retainer and latch assembly 18 includes a stud 110 which threadedly engages the cylindrical member 26 at the rearward end thereof where it is retained in position thereon by means ofthe set screw 112.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 9, it will be observed that the end of the cylindrical member 26 and the attached transverse pin 24 insert through the slotted opening 114 provided in the fixed portion 28 of the machine 30. It will be observed that the body 12 rotatively secures to the lock tongue 90 to thus rotate when the lock tongue is rotated. Similarly, the body 12 rotates pin 24 upon turning of the lock tongue 90 by interaction of the octagonal opening 104 and the rotation prevention means 22. The pin 24 rotates out of alignment with the slotted opening 114 when the lock 46 is turned by a key (not shown) to thereby secure the pin 24 against the fixed machine construction 28 rearwardly from the main body of the device 10. Should the drawer front 52 be forced outwardly with respect to the fixed machine housing 8 without turning the lock 46, the entire combination lock and deterrent assembly 10 will be urged forwardly as the lock affixed drawer front is forced forwardly. As will be observed best in FIGS. 6 and 7 the pin 24, however, will remain stationary and fixed in position behind the fixed construction 28. As the drawer front 52 is pulled forwardly against the bias of the compression spring 108 which urges against the washer 106, the firing pin spring collet assembly 16 will be pulled forwardly relative to the machine retained spring collet retainer and latch assembly 18.

It will be observed that if the drawer is forced far enough for the retainer pin 102 to clear the spring collet axial bore forwardly 68, the spring arms 70, 72, 74 and 76 will thus be free to bias inwardly to close the end of the axial bore 68. Should the retainer pin 102 be pulled free from the axial bore 68, the bias of the compression spring acting against the guide 64 will thus push the entire firing pin spring collet assembly 16 forwardly. The inwardly projecting flange 98 radially coacts against the transition place 88 to thus force the spring arms 70, 72, 74, 76 radially inwardly to close the axial bore 68. This limited inward movement of the spring arms is sufficient to permit sufficient contraction of the split retainer 86 to slide pass the inwardly projecting flange 97 under the urging of the spring 100. See FIG. 10. The bias of the spring 100 then serves to propell the firing pin 60 rapidly toward the contact end 96 of the gas cartridge 40 to thereby pierce the same to release the deterrent contained therein to thus discourage further attempts to pry open the coin drawer 48. The guide 64 aligns the firing pin 60 during its travel through the body 12 to thus assure positive firing. See FIG. 7. It should be noted in FIG. 7 that the lock and deterrent device 10 remains in locked position with the pin 24 positioned behind the fixed machine portion 28 even after firing to thus assure that the drawer 48 remains locked to thus continue to protect the contents of the coin drawer 48.

In order to re-arm the device after firing, all that is required is to expose body 12 interior by threadedly disengaging the gas cartridge 40 from the threaded section 92. A thin rod or other device (not shown) axially pushes inwardly through the retainer construction 14 to contact the firing pin 60 or the front of the guide 64 to urge the firing pin spring collet assembly l6 rearwardly against the bias of the compression spring 100 until the split retainer 86 is forced past the inwardly projecting flange 98. With the assembly 16 held in this position, the spring 108 urges the retainer pin 102 into the axial bore 68 to thus again lock the mechanism in firing position. A new gas cartridge 40 can then be threadedly engaged at the threads 92 in well-known manner to rearm the device.

We claim:

1. In a combination lock and deterrent device adapted to be affixed at the forward end thereof to movable construction and at the rearward end thereof to fixed construction, the combination of A. a hollow body having a forward end and associated with the movable construction and a rearward end associated with the fixed construction 1. said body being provided with deterrent cartridge positioning construction, and 2. said body including spring collet retention means;

B. a firing pin spring collet assembly reciprocal from a rearward position to a forward position within the said hollow body and including,

1. an axially aligned firing pin directed toward the said deterrent cartridge positioning construction, 2. a guide slidable within the said hollow body to axially align the said firing pin within the said body, and 3. compressibly spring collet means a. said firing pin collet assembly contacting the said spring collet retention means when in the rearward position;

C. a spring retainer and latching assembly axially movable with respect to the said body and positioned rearwardly with respect to the said firing pin spring collet assembly,

1. said spring collet retainer and latching assembly contacting said firing pin spring collet assembly when said assembly reciprocates to its said rearward position; and

D. first spring means biasing the said firing pin toward the said cartridge positioning construction.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said spring collet retention mean include peripheral retention construction.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the said spring collet retention means project radially inwardly to define a restricted concentric opening in the said hollow body.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said spring collet means include a plurality of split arms extending toward the rearward end.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the split arms surround an axial bore and are separated by elongated slots.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the said slots communicate with the said bore and wherein the said arms flex inwardly momentarily to restrict the said rearward end.

7. The invention of claim 4 wherein a split retainer radially projects from the said arms near the said rearward end.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the said retainer positions rearwardly of the said spring collet retention means when firing pin spring collet assembly is pushed to its said rearward position.

9. The invention of claim 6 wherein the said spring collet retainer and latching assembly include a retainer pin, the said retainer pin inserting within the rearward end of the said axial bore to prevent inward flexure of the split arms when the firing pin spring collet assembly is moved to its rearward position.

10. The invention of claim 6 wherein a split retainer radially projects from the said arms near the rearward ends thereof and wherein the said retainer squeezes radially inwardly of the said spring collet retention means when the firing pin spring collet assembly reciprocates from its rearward position to its forward position.

11. The invention of claim 9 wherein forward movement of the said movable construction disengages the said retainer pin from the said axial bore to activate the deterrent device under impetus of the said first spring means.

12. The invention of claim 1 and second spring means biasing the said spring collet retainer and latching assembly toward the said firing pin spring collet assembly. 

1. In a combination lock and deterrent device adapted to be affixed at the forward end thereof to movable construction and at the rearward end thereof tO fixed construction, the combination of A. a hollow body having a forward end and associated with the movable construction and a rearward end associated with the fixed construction
 1. said body being provided with deterrent cartridge positioning construction, and
 2. said body including spring collet retention means; B. a firing pin spring collet assembly reciprocal from a rearward position to a forward position within the said hollow body and including,
 1. an axially aligned firing pin directed toward the said deterrent cartridge positioning construction,
 2. a guide slidable within the said hollow body to axially align the said firing pin within the said body, and
 3. compressibly spring collet means a. said firing pin collet assembly contacting the said spring collet retention means when in the rearward position; C. a spring retainer and latching assembly axially movable with respect to the said body and positioned rearwardly with respect to the said firing pin spring collet assembly,
 1. said spring collet retainer and latching assembly contacting said firing pin spring collet assembly when said assembly reciprocates to its said rearward position; and D. first spring means biasing the said firing pin toward the said cartridge positioning construction.
 2. said body including spring collet retention means; B. a firing pin spring collet assembly reciprocal from a rearward position to a forward position within the said hollow body and including,
 2. a guide slidable within the said hollow body to axially align the said firing pin within the said body, and
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said spring collet retention mean include peripheral retention construction.
 3. compressibly spring collet means a. said firing pin collet assembly contacting the said spring collet retention means when in the rearward position; C. a spring retainer and latching assembly axially movable with respect to the said body and positioned rearwardly with respect to the said firing pin spring collet assembly,
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein the said spring collet retention means project radially inwardly to define a restricted concentric opening in the said hollow body.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the said spring collet means include a plurality of split arms extending toward the rearward end.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the split arms surround an axial bore and are separated by elongated slots.
 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the said slots communicate with the said bore and wherein the said arms flex inwardly momentarily to restrict the said rearward end.
 7. The invention of claim 4 wherein a split retainer radially projects from the said arms near the said rearward end.
 8. The invention of claim 7 wherein the said retainer positions rearwardly of the said spring collet retention means when firing pin spring collet assembly is pushed to its said rearward position.
 9. The invention of claim 6 wherein the said spring collet retainer and latching assembly include a retainer pin, the said retainer pin inserting within the rearward end of the said axial bore to prevent inward flexure of the split arms when the firing pin spring collet assembly is moved to its rearward position.
 10. The invention of claim 6 wherein a split retainer radially projects from the said arms near the rearward ends thereof and wherein the said retainer squeezes radially inwardly of the said spring collet retention means when the firing pin spring collet assembly reciprocates from its rearward position to its forward position.
 11. The invention of claim 9 wherein forward movement of the said movable construction disengages the said retainer pin from the said axial bore to activate the deterrent device under impetus of the said first spring means.
 12. The invention of claim 1 and second spring means biasing the said spring collet retainer and latching assembly toward the said firing pin spring collet assembly. 